We here at Pol Position know it would be downright rude for candidates to talk about their campaigns for Queens borough president just one week after Helen Marshall's final State of the Borough address...for them! But we can talk about it all we want, so let's get the political scuttlebutt up and running so all of you political geeks (we mean that lovingly) want to know what's going on with the Queens seat up for grabs in November 2013. It is widely thought that the winner of the Democratic primary will go on to win this heavily democratic registered borough, but that's fuel for a future blast.

Many of the contenders for the post attended Marshall's speech at Queens college last week. Barry Grodenchik, Melinda Katz, Peter Vallone, Jr., Leroy Comrie and Jose Peralta were all in their Sunday best. Tony Avella was not at the coming out party, but he was never the partying type. (He actually kicked off his campaign at his home on Sunday), but we'll see enough of him later...trust us.

Positives

Vallone has the most money, Melinda has the most experience, Barry has the fewest enemies and Leroy currently has the most political support. Avella has pulled off the biggest upset win (Senate victory over Padavan) within this small army of political stars and Peralta might have the best union ties.

Each of these strengths could change over night, but few can argue that the race is compelling because each actually has the ability to do a great job.

Negatives

Peralta has the best union ties, Katz has been out of politics for a while, Comrie has not even filed to run yet and is considered the least organized of the group. Avella has a reputation for being prickly, Vallone leans too far to the right for many Queens voters, and Grodenchik, who had a very brief stint in the Assembly a few years back, has low name recognition.

Kind of like doggie years, a month in politics is like seven months in real time, and an awful lot can happen very quickly. We'll keep you posted.